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Researchers have discovered that a giant "super-Earth" planet that is 6 light-years away can have a simple life. Barnard b (or GJ 699
b) is a newly discovered "Super Terra" planet orbiting Barnard Star, the second closest star on Earth. Barnard
b is considered extremely cold and the temperature is similar to Europe, about 150 degrees Celsius.
But researchers say its "nuclear" iron / nickel temperature is quite high and geothermal activity is very intense.
Edward Guinan, an astrophysicist at Villanova University, told a meeting of the American Astronomical Society that "geothermal can withstand the lifebelt" underneath the surface, as well as the underground lake in Antarctica.
According to the paper, "We know that the surface temperature of Europe is similar to that of Barnard B. However, because of the presence of geothermal heat, Europe may have liquid water under the cold surface. geothermal can cause liquid water under the icy surface. "Belt Life." This situation is very similar to cold Europe. "
He said: "We have been paying attention to Barnard Star for a while. The most important significance of discovering the planet Barnard is that there are planets in the two star systems closest to the Sun."
"This supports previous research based on data from the Kepler telescope, that is, planets are ubiquitous in the Milky Way, even in the tens of billions," said Scott Engle, co-author of the paper.
Barnard b is considered a rocky planet with more than three times the mass of the Earth.
Engel said: "Barnard's star exists twice as long as the Sun, there are already about 9 billion and the Sun existed 4.6 billion years ago. Some of the planets in the universe that are the size of the Earth exist for much longer than the Earth, even the Sun. "
Barnard b is more than three times the Earth's mass, and the orbital period around Barnard (red dwarf) is 233 days, and the orbital radius is approximately equal to that of Mercury.
He said that although the brightness is very low, it may be feasible to use the ultra-low-range telescope to "photograph" Barnard b in the future. "This observation will reveal its atmosphere, the nature of the surface and its habitability."
Although the surface temperature is about 150 degrees Celsius, scientists believe there is liquid water under the ice that can withstand life.
Barnard b is considered a rocky planet, at least 3.2 times larger than Earth.
Barnard b star host Barnard star is 6 light-years away from Earth – this is a short distance away on the astronomical scale with a brightness of only 0.0035 times the sun.
The only star system closest to Earth is Alpha Centauri, which is about 4 light-years away.
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